Slow Cooked Meatballs

While ‘basic’ may be part of the name of this recipe, I can promise you these meatballs are anything but! Just a handful of ingredients is all it takes to create these juicy beef meatballs. Prep them in the morning, then add to slow cooker with remaining ingredients and leave to cook with the rich sauce on low all day to come home to a fantastic dinner! If you’ve got a tribe of people coming for dinner, you’ll want to prepare a meal that allows for less time in the kitchen and more time to chat and this is the perfect suggestion!

Ingredients (serves 4-6)  

• 1 cup breadcrumbs

• 1/4 cup milk

• 400g beef mince

• 400g pork mince 

• 1 cup parmesan

• ½ cup oregano leaves

• 2 tsp dried basil or small handful of chopped basil

• 1 egg yolk

• 2 cups spinach

• 4 cloves garlic, crushed

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 1 onion, finely chopped

• 2 carrots, grated

• 2 stalks celery, finely chopped

• 2 tbsp tomato paste

• 2 x 400g canned tomatoes

• 1½ cup (375ML) chicken stock

• 1 cup red wine

Method 

1. Place the breadcrumbs and milk in a large bowl and set aside for 5 minutes to soak. Add the pork, beef, parmesan, oregano, basil, egg yolk, kale, salt, pepper and half the garlic, and mix to combine.Roll into small balls and heat half the oil in a large heavy-based frying pan over medium heat and cook the meatballs, in 2 batches, turning, for 5 minutes or until golden.

2. Add meatballs into slow cooker, with remaining ingredients and stir to combine. Season with salt/ pepper and cook on low for 5-6 hours.

3. Serve on wholemeal pasta or zucchini noodles with mozzarella cheese on top.

Enjoy x